Location: Arlington, Virginia. Hybrid with residency requirement in the Washington D.C. metro area (Washington D.C., Maryland, Northern Virginia)
Employment type: Part-time contract employee, up to 20 hours per week. Following a 6-month introductory period, the role may be converted to a permanent part-time position.
Start date: October 1, 2026
Compensation: $36.00 to $40.00 per hour
Do you want innovative medical devices to be not only safe, but also intuitive and easy to use? At the Johner Institute, we partner with leading medical device and IVD manufacturers to make sure their products truly fit the people who use them. Our work follows FDA human factors guidance and ANSI/AAMI/IEC 62366-1, and it directly shapes products that reach patients and clinicians.
We are looking for someone to join our usability team on a part-time basis and to grow with us. You will start working closely with our senior experts and progressively manage tasks with greater independence over time.
Usability & Human Factors Research Assistant for Medical Devices and In Vitro Diagnostics (Part-Time)
Arlington, Virginia, USA - Remote
Part-time
Temporary
Short description
The Role
- Support our experts in planning and running usability studies with real users, from preparation through analysis
- Serve as note taker during usability tests and capture findings precisely, with the opportunity to move into a moderator role once you feel confident
- Help prepare presentations, pitches and proposals, and participate in collaborating with clients
- Contribute to core usability documentation such as usability engineering plans, test protocols and forms, keeping projects running smoothly
- Support the preparation of human factors engineering (HFE) reports for regulatory submissions
- Primarily work remotely and join us on-site in Arlington during study periods
Your qualifications
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a program in human factors, psychology, engineering or related field. Candidates changing careers who bring a clear interest in the field and relevant transferable skills and experience are equally welcome to apply.
- Curiosity about the point where people and technology meet, and an interest in innovative medical technology.
- Creativity, strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and a structured approach to documentation and reporting.
- Willingness to learn new subject matters quickly, take ownership and bring your own ideas forward.
- Residence within commuting distance of our Arlington office. Only candidates residing in the Washington, D.C. metro area will be considered. Study periods can require several weeks on site, other months are fully remote. Commuting costs are not reimbursed.
- Authorized to work in the United States. This role does not offer visa sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Human Factors, Usability Engineering, Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience conducting user research, usability testing, and data analysis using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and communicate findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Familiarity with relevant standards and guidelines (e.g., IEC/ISO usability standards, FDA human factors guidance) is an advantage.
What we offer
- An hourly pay rate of $36.00 to $40.00
- Paid time off proportional to your scheduled hours
- 11 paid company holidays, 10 paid sick days per year
- All IT equipment provided
- Direct exposure to well-known medical device and IVD manufacturers and to regulated usability experience you can build a career on
- Outside of study periods where dates are set by the project, you will have a flexible schedule to work around your studies or other commitments
- This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship
- Upon eligibility following a 6-month introductory period, Johner Institute North America benefits will be available to candidate (including health insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid time off)
Contact
Barbara Fisher MBA
Johner Institute North America
bewerbung@johner-institut.de
Johner Institute North America
bewerbung@johner-institut.de
About us
About Johner Institute North America (JINA)
We support medical device companies in their quest to develop safe and effective products and to bring them to market quickly, despite all the regulations. As a dynamic, innovative company, the Johner Institute pursues the mission of balancing scientific excellence with social benefit. We are committed to a sustainable healthcare system fit for the future by developing and implementing innovative solutions. Our values – integrity, creativity and collaboration – guide us in everything we do.
At the Johner Institute North America, you can grow in an atmosphere of creativity, trust, mutual support, and the pursuit of excellence. We support you in continuously improving your expert knowledge and professional competency. We offer an environment in which you are allowed and encouraged to be creative – without hierarchies and office politics.